Collecting Data for Root Cause Analysis by James J. Rooney and Lee N. Vanden Heuvel actual evidence derived from data gathering activities is the basis for all valid conclusions and recommendations from a root cause analysis. Management can analyze the ...

Quality professionals often use tree diagrams to solve problems or implement solutions. Another tool, the why-why diagram, uses a similar approach to determine the root cause of a problem.1 A why-why diagram says, "Slow down. Before we find a solution,...

With the proliferation of statistical software packages, it is easy to choose the wrong statistical analysis methods for the variable being analyzed. The NOIR matrix (Nominal, Ordinal, Interval, Ratio) will help you avoid these mistakes. Many authors...

Quality function deployment (QFD), often referred to as listening to the voice of the customer, is a structured method for translating customer requirements into appropriate technical requirements for each stage of product development and production....